10 Fun Amenities That Could Make Travelers Choose Your Vacation Property

Owners Speak

What fun amenities do you provide at your vacation rental?

"I buy grinder jars of sea salt and peppercorns and refill after each guest leaves. TJ Maxx has a great selection of high quality sea salts and peppers and other spices at good prices." Nancy, Nokomis, Fla. (HomeAway #254876)

"I have a video that tells of the history and the wildlife in the area along with other videos, books and games that I enjoy with my family when there. Also, I keep a very well stocked cupboard of art supplies. A little of everything and a journal for a note about their trip. Lots of fun entries." Sandy, Big Bear Lake, Calif. (VRBO #252020)

"Plastic Golf putting green? Tons of board games, ping-pong, movies, books, croquet, badminton, etc. We also have a fishing and black bear theme going on throughout which resulted in lots of stuffed bears large and small — one is a bear-type rug hanging on the wall." Marcia, Deep Creek Lake, M.D.

"We offer our tenants (if they stay a few weeks or more) an owner hosted boat ride around the islands during their stay at one of our rentals! It really makes people feel special when we take the time to personally host them for a few hours. We appreciate our tenants staying "with us" and want them to know it! Competition is tough in the economy we are all in. There are lots of rentals to compete with. Why would someone stay in your property when so many other are available? What can you offer that most others don't? That is the way we think of it! Challenge yourselves to be different........ Happy renting! :-)" Connie & Tom, Fort Meyers Beach, Fla. (HomeAway #212233, VRBO #178264)

"At our ranch house, we have a farm-shaped waffle iron that makes cows, pigs, and rooster waffles." Colleen, Carmel Valley, Calif. (VRBO #189381)

“We download free podcasts and burn them to CD for our guest to play on our portable CD player. Stories for the kids, old time radio shows, and comedies make great choices.” Diane, Weaverville, N.C. (HomeAway #7012387)

“Xbox 360, distinctive seating, pirate bunk beds...” Kellie, Davenport, Fla. (HomeAway #200763)

"I keep a welcome packet in the kitchen drawer with maps of the hiking trails, menus, tourists attractions, TV guide...all kinds of info I think they might like about the area." Dee, Cannon Beach, Ore. (VRBO #217014)

"I have a countertop snow cone maker." Teresa, Orlando, Fla.

"I have a number of Victorian paper masks that transform faces. Lots of laughs are had by all." Lisa, Vt. (VRBO)

"Our poker felt and chip set gets a lot of use (but don't expect them to put the chips back in the right order!" Nick

"One thing I do that seems to be unique is my cabin photo album. I leave a camera out so the guests can take pictures to put in the albums. It took a little while for it to really catch on, but after doing this for eleven years folks now compete with some fun photo shoots. For a long time I put the disposable cameras out but three or four disappeared. They have taken good care of the nicer camera and I get much better photos." Dennis, Oneida, Tenn. (HomeAway #171328)

"Sleds! We have seven sleds for our guests to borrow during the wintertime (3 saucers, 2 wooden sleds, and 2 Zipfys). Everyone wants to use a sled in the snow, and all our guests appreciate using ours. Of course we also included our favorite sledding areas in our cabin binder too." Michelle, Tahoe Donner, Calif. (VRBO #158357)

"We have a mini-market umbrella, two canvas and teak sand chairs, sand castle molds, pails, shovels and a carry bag for picnic stuff. Our cottage is on the beach in Baja, and our guests love the beach toys." Susan, La Paz, Mexico (HomeAway #193419, VacationRentals.com #40013)

"Family DVDs." P, Lincoln City (HomeAway)

"I have a toy closet where I keep various puzzles, games, books, kites and sand toys. We are on the beach so we also keep foam noodles and beach chairs for the adults." Donna, Cocoa Beach, Fla. (HomeAway #152783, VRBO #25055, VacationRentals.com #11652)

"Pool, surfboards, kayak, block from the beach, bicycles (fourteen of them to choose from!)" Steven, Ponce Inlet, Fla. (VRBO #235681)

"I put popsicles in the freezer and a note on the Fridge that says 'Open up a SURPRISE inside!' Adults(big kids) love it too and it keeps the kids happy while the big kids unpack the car!" Cherryl, Needles, Calif. (VacationRentals.com)

"Mountain bikes." Ryan, Scottsdale, Ariz. (VacationsRentals.com #53759)

"We advertise that we're family-friendly, so we have some children's toys, games and books. We also have a play house in our yard that my kids are happy to share with our guests. Best of all, we have my kids who love to play with our guests, even when they're much younger and/or don't speak English." Melissa, Santa Monica, Calif. (HomeAway #168653, VRBO #141664, VacationRentals.com #29343)

"I collect menus from all the restaurants I like and have a wide selection at my rental house for my guests to pick from as well as maps and dress code so they can choose where they would like to dine." Cherie, Ormond Beach, Fla. (HomeAway #164018, VRBO #91183)

“Our cabin rental is located on the beautiful Coosawattee River in Ellijay, Georgia. We have river tubes for the guests to use and they have a great time with them riding the rapids.” Mary

“Our property is a 13-minute walk to Moody Beach so in addition to beach chairs, umbrellas, blanket, toys and games, we provide two beach carts to carry all the stuff!” Tom & Kate, Wells, Maine (HomeAway #154101)

“I provide a loaf of homemade bread and either muffins or coffeecake for each set of arriving guests. Coffee and tea, basics such as sugar, salt, pepper, etc. are also provided. I receive a lot of appreciative comments in the guest journals about the baked goods.” Peggy, Clearfield, Pa. (HomeAway #202262)